Pictures from Phoenix and sometimes from the surrounding cities that make up the "Valley of the Sun"

Monday, April 29, 2013

Taliesin West

Last Friday morning I took a drive out to Taliesin West to take the tour. I had taken it before several years ago but, it was an evening tour and I wanted to get some photos so I decided to do it one more time. Taliesin West was the winter home of Frank Lloyd Wright and it is currently owned an operated by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. It still serves as a School of Architecture where students earn a Masters of Architecture Degree.

Taliesin West was FLW's winter home and it was built specifically to suit him and his unique lifestyle. For many years after the purchase of the land in 1937, there was no water or electricity and he, his wife, and his apprentices lived in tent-like structures and the hauled water to the site.

Tomorrow I'll show you a couple more photos from this interesting place.

I'm so envious of you being able to tour this place. I have a few books on his work but have never seen one of his buildings in person. I think there are some near Buffalo which is only 2 hours away but you do get lazy and the thought of fighting traffic ....

I appreciate these photos. I had heard of this place when we lived in the area but I can't recall ever visiting. It was considered very avant-garde and "hippy." But it's gorgeous. I'll look forward to seeing more!

I was there about seven or eight years ago. The tour guide focused on how much of the structure leaks, etc. I always thought an architect's first responsibility is to make a building safe, watertight and efficient. If those things aren't present, the beauty doesn't matter. I still find Wright buildings interesting, but I don't want to own one!